School Children's Privacy Enhanced With New Law
President Bush today signed into law a massive education reform bill that aims to strengthen children's Internet privacy rights in public schools, and makes more than $7 billion in school technology grants. The privacy language would put a damper on a growing practice among companies that offer IT equipment and Internet access in public schools in exchange for the ability to monitor online usage and solicit information about surfing and buying habits. Some of the information that companies compile, such as the American Student List, includes religious affiliation, as well as surfing and spending habits for children as young as two years old. The education package, however, puts the burden on the parents to notify schools if they do not want information on their children collected rather than an 'opt-in' regime where the company has to get the parent's consent to collect the information.Bush OK's Education Act With Privacy Clause, Tech Grants Newsbytes, January 9, 2002
